WeaponsIt's better to have one and not need it than to need one and not have it

GUN OF THE WEEKThe Gun of the Week this time around is the Ruger STANDARD also known as the Ruger Mark I .22 pistol.This pistol was the first manufactured by Ruger and has been around since 1949.This pistol, and its modern variations, have become the most successful .22 pistol ever produced.There are eight specific variations of this neat little pistol.Over two million of these pistols have been produced.The pistol was actually based in large part on the Japanese military Nambu pistol, though it also strongly resembles the Luger in general appearance and it points very well.The suggested retail price of the original pistol was $37.50.This is a basic blowback operated pistol and, depending on which variation you have, it holds either nine or ten rounds in the magazine. Like any other .22 rifle how well it functions and how accurate it is seems to be very dependent on what you feed it.Both of mine, a target model and a 22/45, will eat pretty much anything they are fed though the accuracy is quite variable depending on the ammo.These pistols used a great many of modern manufacturing techniques which gave them a leg up on the competition.The frame of the original pistol was made from two pieces of stamped sheet metal which were then welded together.This was more than adequate for the purpose intended and cost much less to manufacture than a fully machined frame.They also had some solid business practices.When the orders started rolling in they did not cash the checks until the ordered weapons actually shipped.This gave them a very good rep in the firearms business in general.These are outstanding pistols and will give their owners many years of good service.​